| The setting sun, low down in the sky, was just... 93 |
[Jan. 31st, 2010|02:43 am] |
The setting sun, low down in the sky, was just dropping behind KettlenessThe red light was thrown over on the East Cliff and the old abbey, and seemed to bathe everything in a beautiful rosy glowWe were silent for a while, and suddenly Lucy murmured as if to herself?
"His red eyes again! They are just the same It was such an odd expression, coming apropos of nothing, that it quite startled meI slewed round a little, so as to see Lucy well without seeming to stare at her, and saw that she was in a half dreamy state, with an odd look on her face that I could not quite make out, so I said nothing, but followed her eyesShe appeared to be looking over at our own seat, whereon was a dark figure seated aloneI was quite a little startled myself, for it seemed for an instant as if the stranger had great eyes like burning flames, but a second look dispelled the illusionThe red sunlight was shining on the windows of StMary's Church behind our seat, and as the sun dipped there was just sufficient change in the refraction and reflection to make it appear as if the light movedI called Lucy's attention to the peculiar effect, and she became herself with a start, but she looked sad all the sameIt may have been that she was thinking of that terrible night up thereWe never refer to it, so I said nothing, and we went home to dinnerLucy had a headache and went early to bedI saw her asleep, and went out for a little stroll myself
I walked along the cliffs to the westward, and was full of sweet sadness, for I was thinking of JonathanWhen coming home, it was then bright moonlight, so bright that, though the front of our part of the Crescent was in shadow, everything could be well seen, I threw a glance up at our window, and saw Lucy's head leaning outI opened my handkerchief and waved itShe did not notice or make any movement whateverJust then, the moonlight crept round an angle of the building, and the light fell on the windowThere distinctly was Lucy with her head lying up against the side of the window sill and her eyes shutShe was fast asleep, and by her, seated on the window sill, was something that looked like a good-sized birdI was afraid she might get a chill, so I ran upstairs, but as I came into the room she was moving back to her bed, fast asleep, and breathing heavilyShe was holding her hand to her throat, as though to protect if from the cold
I did not wake her, but tucked her up warmlyI have taken care that the door is locked and the window securely fastened
She looks so sweet as she sleeps, but she is paler than is her wont, and there is a drawn, haggard look under her eyes which I do not likeI fear she is fretting about somethingI wish I could find out what it is-Rose later than usualLucy was languid and tired, and slept on after we had been calledWe had a happy surprise at breakfastArthur's father is better, and wants the marriage to come off soonLucy is full of quiet joy, and her mother is glad and sorry at onceLater on in the day she told me the causeShe is grieved to lose Lucy as her very own, but she is rejoiced that she is soon to have some one to protect herPoor dear, sweet lady! She confided to me that she has got her death warrantShe has not told Lucy, and made me promise secrecyHer doctor told her that within a few months, at most, she must die, for her heart is weakeningAt any time, even now, a sudden shock would be almost sure to kill herAh, we were wise to keep from her the affair of the dreadful night of Lucy's |
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